Archery-only hunting will be allowed for a limited time on property owned by the Pittsburgh International Airport. / James Brooks AP

by Nancy Trejos, USA TODAY

by Nancy Trejos, USA TODAY

You'll still have to watch how much liquid you carry on but at Pittsburgh International Airport, you'll now be able to bring along your bow and arrow.

That is, to designated areas outside the actual airport where archery-only hunting will be allowed. The Allegheny County Airport Authority today announced a pilot program that allows limited hunting on airport property.

No firearms will be allowed.

From October 5 to January 14, hunting enthusiasts will be able to indulge in their hobby on airport property if they've received a permit. A lottery system will be used to assign a limited number of permits to those who submit an application.

JoAnn Jenny, a spokeswoman for the airport authority, told Today in the Sky that hunting will be permitted on the land that the airport authority owns, "not on land that is the airport-proper."

The hunting areas will be separated by the airport-proper by a fence line and a major interstate highway, she said.

"Because of the location of the hunting area, there is no requirement for Homeland Security to perform security background checks," she said.

About 2,362 acres of the airport's total 9,000 acres will be made available for hunting. Permitted hunters who hunt outside of the designated zones will be cited for trespassing.

Authorized hunters will be subject to Pennsylvania Game Laws. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will periodically patrol the areas, the authority said.

"This announcement is good news for area sportsmen and women who will soon have access to additional lands and the opportunity to take part in the rich Pennsylvania tradition of archery hunting," said Pennsylvania Rep. Matt Smith (D)in a written statement. "I appreciate the efforts of all parties to arrive at a consensus on opening portions of airport controlled land for hunting.

Said state Rep. Mark Mustio (R), also in a written statement:

"I applaud Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald and the Airport Authority board for working with him, Senator Matt Smith and the hunting community to reopen a portion of the Airport Authority controlled land for archery hunting. This is a good example of government at several levels listening to the concerns of the residents and addressing those concerns."